SONG OF THE ENGLISH PEASANT GIRL.
[The marriage in 1858 of Prince Frederick William of Prussia to Victoria Adelaide Mary, eldest daughter of the Queen of England; and the visit of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, to Canada, in 1860, were events of sufficient magnitude to arouse the patriotism of our Canadian poetess, and we find reference made to them in this and the two following pieces.]
I am but a rustic maiden
Dwelling by the river side,
But I'm happy as the Princess
Who today becomes a bride.
I am but a peasant's daughter,
All his life in toil is spent,
But he loves me as Prince Albert
Loves his child, and I'm content.
Though the Queen of many nations,
Centre of each Royal scene,
Better than I love my mother,
Does the Princess love the Queen?
Are Prince Leopold and Arthur,
Though within a palace bred,
Dearer than my little brothers
Playing 'neath the cottage shed?
There's a group of Royal sisters
Clustering round the English throne,
But I know they are not truer,
Better sisters than mine own.
Hark! it is the trumpet sounding;
At the Prince of Prussia's side
Standeth now her Royal Highness;
Oh, I would not be the bride!
For a manly voice hath whispered,
"Dearer than my life thou art!"
What care I who rules a kingdom
If I rule in Jamie's heart?
I am but a peasant's daughter,
And the wealthy pass me by,—
But there's not in merry England
A happier maid than I.